RESIDENTIAL

Storm Water Grant

Helping you protect your property, and your wallet.

Got a soggy yard or erosion creeping in? Urbandale’s Storm Water Grant Program is here to help you stay ahead of stormwater problems before they become costly headaches. With financial assistance available, you can tackle drainage issues, protect your property, and improve the health of neighborhood streams and lakes.

Get started

Program Contact

Engineering & Public Works Department
Call: 515-278-3950
Email: stormwater@urbandale.org
More Details: Storm Water Grant Program

Get reimbursed for fixing storm water problems—Urbandale’s grant program helps cover the cost of eligible improvements.

drainage and drainage system in the park

30,000

up to $30,000 in grants available per project

We'll pay up to 50% of qualifying expenses

30,000

Up to $30,000 grants are available per project

50

We'll pay up to 50% of qualifying expenses

What is storm water?

It’s rain or melting snow that doesn’t soak into the ground. Instead, it runs off rooftops, driveways, and streets, picking up things like oil, fertilizer, and litter along the way. This polluted runoff flows straight into local waterways without being treated, often causing flooding and water quality problems.

That’s why Urbandale has a Storm Water Management Program. It’s funded by a small fee included in your water bill, which helps the city maintain the system and gives you a chance to make improvements on your own property too.

Get reimbursed for fixing storm water problems—Urbandale’s grant program helps cover the cost of eligible improvements.

Storm Water Solutions

Here are some examples of what the grant can help fund:

Installing drain tile to fix wet or soggy yards
Controlling erosion or reinforcing streambanks
Removing silt from detention areas (if it returns the area to its original function)
Updating outdated detention areas to meet current standards
Improving lawn soil so it absorbs more water
Planting native landscaping designed to manage rainwater
Creating rain gardens that help soak up storm water
Hiring professional engineering services for storm water planning

The City will reimburse 50 percent of the qualifying project costs, up to a maximum set for each type of project. This is an opportunity to invest in your property while reducing out-of-pocket costs. Note: The program does not fund interior repairs, aesthetic upgrades, sump pump work, or decorative landscaping.

Permeable grown drainage. Gravel and cement blocks helping water soak into the earth.

Before you start

Check Eligibility: You must own property in Urbandale, pay the Storm Water Utility Fee, and have had a certificate of occupancy for at least one year.
HOAs and Shared Properties: Homeowner Associations and larger property owners can apply. Some projects, like basin cleanouts or tile repairs, have limits on how often funding can be received.
Confirm Before You Start: Contact City staff to make sure your project qualifies. Projects must be approved before any work begins or they won’t be eligible.
Understand Reimbursement: The City reimburses 50% of qualifying out-of-pocket costs, including materials, permits, contractors, and engineering. Labor by the homeowner is not reimbursed. All work must comply with local and state regulations.
Meet the Deadline: Projects approved in 2025 must be completed and submitted for reimbursement by the end of 2026.